Why provide public testimony?
Your voice matters. Testifying at a public hearing is a great way to be an effective advocate for policy change and program implementation. Participating in PHB’s advisory body discussions provide opportunities for people to engage with commissioners and other government officials.
Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience – but it is very important that advisory bodies hear from people who care about Portland’s current housing state of emergency. Making the time and effort to testify sends an important message to the Bureau and the public about your commitment and attention to the issue.
Giving testimony is one of the most effective ways to educate advisory bodies and government officials about the impact, either positive or negative, that proposed changes in policy or programming might have. Advisory bodies and other policymakers aren’t always aware of all of the challenges that constituents face, and hearing public testimony allows them to prioritize issues in accordance with their communities.
What to expect
- You will have the full, undivided attention of the commissioners for your three-minute timeslot.
- Your testimony will live as a public record, with a recording of the event being made accessible to the public through the PHB website.
- Commissioners may ask you follow-up/clarifying questions related to your testimony. Please feel free to answer these in as much or as little detail as you see fit.
- Your testimony could be used to shift policy/program implementation or effect the workplan of the advisory body.
What not to expect
- While the advisory body is there to listen to your experiences and adjust efforts where appropriate, they are not there to offer you resources or to directly resolve a conflict/issue/concern. Advisory bodies have no enforcement authority for housing related issues/concerns, even if you believe that there has been a violation of policy or law.
- Your testimony will not result in immediate action taken by the advisory body. While your experience will be taken into account, and could affect future policy/programming considerations, the advisory body will not immediately shift efforts to address the issue/concern that you have presented.
- Please expect to speak for no more than 3 minutes and possibly answer any additional questions that the advisory body might have. Do not expect for there to be robust follow-up to address your individualized issue/concern.
When to provide public testimony
- You have issues/concerns relating to the body’s topic of discussion.
- This can be determined by reviewing the agenda of the advisory body in question, which should be posted 1 week before the session.
- You have relevant experience in the subject area that you believe the commission/advisory body will benefit from hearing.
- You would like to take an active role in shaping/adjusting policy/programming.
When not to provide public testimony
- You are looking for enforcement for a government or third-party agency.
- You are looking for individualized solutions to an issue/concern that you are experiencing.
- You are in need of resources (whether fiscal or program-based) and are providing public testimony in the hopes of being matched with a provider.
Tip and Best Practices
How to provide written and oral testimony.
Sign up in advance to provide Public Testimony
It is always best to sign up for public testimony in advance. This can be done via the Zoom registration link of the particular advisory body you are interested in. Please indicate whether you will be attending online or in person, and that you would like to provide testimony. While preferred, signing up in advance is not required. If time allows, meeting facilitators will extend the opportunity during the public comment period for members of the public to indicate that they would like to provide public testimony.
To learn more about our advisory bodies, and opportunities to provide testimony, please see the links below:
Resources and more information
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